Nagpanchami

According to the Hindu calendar, the month of Shravan is called the festival month because, in the month of Shravan lots of festivals are been celebrated in our Hindu culture. At the end of the Aashadha month that is new moon which is called Dip Amavasya in hindu exactly after 5 days the festival of Nagpachami is celebrated. Nagpanchami is a day honoured and dedicated to serpents or snakes or Cobra. On this day, people bring serpents or snakes idol or draw pictures of snakes and worship and do prayers They also offer delicious varieties of food and sweets to Nag Devta. Some people visit temple of Lord Shiva and pray to Lord and offer him, fruits and sweets.

How is Nagpanchami celebrated

On the day of Shukala Paksha Panchami Tithi Hindus, worship snakes or serpents. They wake up early in the morning and bring snakes idol to their home. Women's do puja by offering Milk, flowers and sandalwood as good aromas to appease the Nag Devta. They they also do Aarti and then offer delicious food and sweets. On this day Women's keep fast for the well being of their brother and at the end of the day they consume food. On this day,? women's don't fry, roast, cut vegetables and fruits. People do not cut trees on this day? even they do not dig the ground.

Legend of Nagpachami

There are multiple stories associated with Nagpanchami, but the story in Mahabharata was such as - Once When the king Prikshit, the son of Abhimanyu got angry on Shringi Rishi because, he didn't offer him water when he was returning from hunting in jungle after a long time and he was thirsty. Shringi Rishi was in meditation since long duration, while Parikshit got angry and he put a dead snake around the neck of Shringi Rishi and than went away without fetching his thirst. After a couple of time Shringi Rishi's son arrived and saw such a mischievous act and he cursed that "The one who have done this act, will die after 7 days because of Takshak (Snake) bite.

When Shringi Rishi wake up from his meditation, he realised that his son has cursed the king Parikshit he told his son to inform the king Parikshit about his curse. In spite of knowing about the curse in advance Parikshit's efforts, could not save him from Takshak snake bite and he thereafter died. Seeeing this his son Janamejaya performed a yagna, which was very powerful as the Brahmins and Saints started chanting powerful mantras in this yagna due to which all the snakes were forced to come out of their natural habitat and start falling in the burning holy flames of yagna. When almost all the snakes were burned to ashes Janamejaya realised that Takshak was left. In order to bring Takshak out the Rishis and Saints increase the intensity of chanting the mantras. At that time,

Takshak took the help of Devaraj Indra by surrounding the throne of Indra along with him. When Takshak was forced to fall in the holy fire alongwith Indra and his throne, Astik, the son of goddess Mansa, arrived and he prayed to Lord Ganesha and his mother Mansa. Thereafter, he stopped the Yagna by guiding the king Janamejaya on the right parth. In this way, the remaining snakes along with Vasuki and Takshak safely escaped from burning in holy fire. All Snakes and Serpents thanked Astik for saving their lives from such a big destroying yagna. After this Astik, ordered all Serpents and Snakes to take a oath of not to harm or bite any creature until and unless their life is in danger. All this happened on Shukla Paksha Panchami, therefore this day is celebrated as Nagpachami.

Importance of Nagpachami

Snakes and Serpents play a very crucial role in eco-cycle of our planet Earth. Therefore to honour and Respect them we celebrate Nagpachami in order to to pray and worship them. Also these Snakes and Serpents are termed as Nag Devta in our Hindu tradition. Nagpanchami is celebrated all over India with great joy..